Planogr



, R. H. MANSON WARNING SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED MN. 7. I915.

Patented Oct. 14,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I- R Y B lillilll THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAYII c0W.ASHINGTON, n. c.

R. H. MANSON.

WARNING SIGNAL.

APPLICATION man JAN. 1. I915.

Patented Oct. 14, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

NITED sTA s PATENT onnron.

RAY I-I. MANSON, or ELYRIA, onIo, ASSIGNOR 'ro ennrom) MAnU AoTu uNeCOMPANY, or ELYRIA, onro, AbORlOBATION OF OHIO, I

waamesmmt;

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, RAY H. MAnsoN, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of 'Elyria, in the county of Lorain and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and use ful Improvements in Warning-Signals; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of 'the invention, such as willenable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to m'akeand use the same. v My inventionrelates generally to warning signals, such as find their princi-paluseupon automobiles, motor cycles, motor boats and the like, the inventionin-this application being more particularly 'classified among,

What are familiarly known as mechanical or hand operated horns, whereinno electric current lSUSBCl', but the power is applied d rectly by handand transmitted through 'cer-- tain mechanical devices to thesoundproducing member. The horn which I'have invented is by no means thefirst of this type which has been invented or used, but those hithertoin use, so far Iain aware, are open to many objections. They are ex en--sive to make, not only fro-in the multiplicity of their parts, but fromthe care and accuracy wh'ich is required in the manufacture 0 theseparts in order to secure theproper operation of the horn. For the reasonthat these parts must be accurate, the device becomes ineflicient whenthe parts are even slightly worn, and especially so "when the partsbecome worn inany marked degree. In certain of these horns theemployment of numerous bearings requires considerable attention, in thenatureol? oili111g,etc. In certain forms it is necessary t applyconsiderable power to operate the horns, jwjvhieh inconveniences thedriver, who generallyoperates the horn, while the blows rack thestructure and injure the same. Bymy' invention I produce a device whichcan be cheaply made and most-of whose pfartsj'can be convenientlymanufactured by standard macliiiierynnd tools; in fact, most-of the,

parts or my deviceare what are known as stampings, which, it is; wellknown, are cheaply and conveniently manufactured. The structure which Ihave invented requires no painstaking accuracy in the meme factnre ofthe parts, or the application of any intricate processes, and, when onceassembled, will operate for great lengths of Specification of LettersPatent. I Patented 0 1;; 14. 1919; Application filed 'ia'nda'r 7, 1915.Serial n 906.

time with little ornooiling' In addition to this, the structure thusproduced is very du-, rable, and even though certa in of theparts becomeworn, it will continue to operate with accuracy and efiiciency. haveeliminated ratchets and pawls and gear wheels, andthe trouble and carenecessary "to maintain the same. The horn is direct acting, and for thisand other reasons, operates when struck lightly, eliminating the rackingassaultin from hard blows applied in other 'fornrs'of devices. V 1

Another object of my invention is to provide yieldable'connecting meansbetween the 7 parts, so that asevere blow will not injure theope'ratingparts. I ,v v Other objects of my invention and theinvention itself willprobably be better understood from a description of an embodimentthereof, such as is shown in thej "appended Figure 1 is anillustrationof an embodiment of my invention shown partly in section, illustratingcertain of the operating parts. I W V g V Fig. 2 is an elevation withthe'diaphragm and resonator removed, certain parts of the casing beingcut away to illustrate better the mechanism.

Fig. 3i's a section through the rear casing, sh wing a third view of theoperating parts. Fig. 4 is a view ofa second embodiment of m inventionwithtpart of the casing cutaw yto show the mechanism; Fig. 5 is a viewof the mechanism and rear casing of the embodiment shown in Fig. L, withthe diaphragm and front easingreinoved, a I

Fig 6 is a view showing in elevation the mechanism of the embodimentshown in Fig.

4 or the drawing, with the top of the casing cut away. 7 I

, Fig. 7 is a detailed view of a portionof the apparatus employed in theembodiment shown in Fig. 4c. e

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention "illustrated in Figs. 1to 3, of the drawings, at 4 is shown a frame or casing which we will forconvenience call the back casing "to distinguish it from the front cas-Inthefo'rm shown, the back casing 41:

' istfu'rnedup albngits edge to forman annularflange 6 and asoundproducing member,

such as'a vibratile dia hra in 7 1s clam ed between the flange 6 and thefront casing.

The front casing is provided with an opening 8 for the egress of soundwaves and a flange 9 is turned up around said openlng to which aresonator 10 may be connected. These parts are all old and constitute nopart of the invention of this application. Means are provided foractuating the diaphragm, which here consist of a roughened wheel 11 andan anvil 12 mounted in any suitable manner upon the diaphragm. In theform shown a screw 13 is employed as the anvil and is connected to thediaphragm in any suitable manner, such as by nuts 15 and 16 on oppositesides of the diaphragm. The wheel 11 is mounted upon a suitable axle,shown at 18, which is mounted on suitable bearings 19 and 20 supportedin the frame or back casing 4. I11 the form illustrated, the axle 18 iscounter-sunk at. each end, as shown at 21 and 22 and pointed pinions 23and 24 employed which pro]ect into the holes counter-sunk into the endof the axle, forming a cheap and practically frictionless bearing forthe wheel.

Means are provided for operating the wheel here shown as a plunger andassociate parts. The plunger is illustrated at 30 and consists of achannel-shaped punching closed at one end, as shown at 31. The planes ofthe side walls 31 of the channel are preferably parallel to theprincipal axis of the horn, and in the form illustrated, to the wheel11. A handle or knob 32 is mounted on the top of the plunger, the handlebeing bored out as shown at 33 and the open end of the plunger insertedtherein and held there by any suitable means, such as by frictionalengagement. The back casing 4 is perforated at 34 and 35 for theplunger, the edges of the perforations being turned up to form flanges36 and 37 which furnish suitable bearing surfaces for the plunger whichreciprocates in these openings. The front of the top portion of thechannel-shaped punching is closed by a member 40, which may be a portionof the plunger, and which may be stamped out the same time the otherportions of this plunger are stamped out.

There is mounted upon the axle 18, preferably in close proximity to thewheel 11, a

toothed wheel 41, which is made of suitable size and dimension, andthrough which power may be applied to rotate the axle 18 and the wheel11. The plunger is provided with a flexible member, here shown as achain 42 for rotating the axle and the wheel 11. This chain may be madein any suitable manner and in the form shown, consists of a flat linkchain provided with catches 43 adapted to engage the teeth on the wheel41. The chain is connected at one end to a pin 44 passing through theside walls of the plunger. The chain passes upward, being concealedwithin and protected by the channel and then around the aXle andtoothed. wheel and single member which back again into the channel, itsupper end being connected to one end of a spring 50. The other end ofthis spring is connected to a lug 56 on the end of the plunger and whichin the form shown is integral with the member 40, the end of the member40 being simply turned inward to form this lug.

A retrieving spring 60 is employed connected at one end to the plunger,in the form shown, by boring a hole 61 into the back of the plunger, oneend of the spring being formed into a hook 62 which is inserted intothis opening. The other end of the spring is connected to the frame orto some other stationary part of the device. In the form shown this isaccomplished by employing a bracket 63 fastened to the rear wall of theback casing. Means are provided to limit the upward movement of theplunger, here shown as a catch mounted in any suitable manner upon theframe, such as by screws 71. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 3 I employa separating member employed to separate the two parts of the coil ofchain. This member is best illustrated in Fig. 2 and its function willbe readily understood from the drawing.

The operation of my device is as follows: The parts are normally in theposition as illustrated in Fig. 1, and to operate the horn, the driverapplies pressure to the handle 32, depressing the plunger, the catches43 engaging the teeth on the wheel and rotating the axle and wheel 11 asthe chain passes over the toothed wheel in the descent of the plunger.When the plunger has reached its way-down position, the power iswithdrawn and the spring 60 returns the plunger to normal position, thechain passing idly over the wheel 41. During the descent of the plungerthe spring 50 keeps the chain taut, insuring the desired engagementsbetween the catches 43 and the ratchet wheel. However, owing to theflexibility of the spring, the chain on the return movement will beallowed to slack slightly to prevent the toothed wheel from being caughtin passing over any uneven portions of the chain. Furthermore, thisspring will take up any expansion or contraction of the chain, due tosuch conditions of wear of the parts, alwa insuring a close grippingaction between the chain and the ratchet wheel.

It will be seen that the parts are few and simple and inclosed andprotected, no ratchets or spur wheels being employed and no rackexposed, as is common in many hand horns. It will also be seen that theparts require little or no oiling or other attention, and that I produceone of those structures in which unequal wear and tear falls upon aeventually will give way first, but will render the other elementsuseless or inoperative until the injured or destroyed member isreplaced.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, the plunger isinclined, thereby changing the manner in which the force is applied'tothe mechanism and increasing the length of stroke for the size of easingemployed. Horns of this type are frequently mountedonan automobile orother conveyance in advance of the driver and somewhat below the naturalposition of his hand, so that his natural stroke would be inclinedtoward the 'long axis of the horn. By inclining the plunger I make itmore convenient for him to operate the device.

As stated, this alsocnables me to increase the length of stroke for thesize of horn employed, with the result thatthe apparatus maybe morecompact and the roughened wheel given sufiieient rotation to produce asignal without utilizing any fly-wheel effect of the roughened wheel,which creates a disagreeable note on-the endof the signal.

In the form illustrated in Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, the rear casing isshown at 100, the diaphragm at 101, the front casing at 102, theresonator at 103; the roughened wheel is shown at 104, the axle at 105and the bearings therefor, at 106 and 107. The toothed wheel is shown at108- andthe hollow plunger at 109. Inthis form a guide is provided forthe plunger, shown at 150. This guide is also channel-shaped and theplunger fits within the same, sliding back and forth therein during itsoperation.

The flexible chainis shown at 110. In this embodiment the chain isconnected at one end through suitable means, such as a pin 111, to theplunger, passed over the axle and over a pulley 112 mounted in the end113 of the member 150. The other end of the chain is connected to-a link115 connected to oneend of a coil spring 116, the other end of the coilspring being connected to the plunger, as illustrated at 117. In thisform, as will be seen, the links of "the chain throughout are parallelto each other and pass over the axle in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the long axis thereof. The link 115 is preferablymounted inside of the hollow plunger and is provided at one end withears 120 through which a pin 121 passes to connect the end of the chain110 to the link 115. The other end of the link is provided with a catch122 for the end of the spring 116. A retrievingspring 180 is employedconnected at one end to the frame through any suitable means, such as alug 131, here shown as a portion of the member 150, and at the other endto the plunger through any suitable means, such as a pin 182 connectedto the plunger. The pulley 112 is mounted upon an axle 160 mounted incars 161 formed on the end of the memher 150.

In the operation of the embodiment illustrated in I igs. 4: to 7inclusive power is appliedito the handle 170 and the plunger defpressed, the same riding down the channel in the member 150 and drawingthe chain over the ratchet wheel, the catches 171 on the chain engagingthe ratchets and rotating the axle and the roughened wheel, the spring116 keeping the chain taut and in close engagement withthe pulley andtoothed wheel, whereby it is assured that the catches on the chain willengage the teeth on the wheel. The spring 130 will be extended. At theend of the stroke thehandle is released and the spring 130 retrieves-theparts, the chain now passing idly over the toothed wheel until the partsare-restored to normal. The spring 116 will in this embodiment of myinvention alsotake up any unevenness or change in the shape of parts dueto the wearing thereof or other causes.

I have illustrated these modifications and these details simply for thepurpose of better describing my invention and not that I wish to belimited to such forms and details; in fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled'in the art that numerous and extensive departures may be madefrom the forms and-details here illustrated without departing from thespirit of the invention.

- Iclaim:" v

1. In an automobile lhorn, the combination of a vibratile, soundproducing dia phragm, means including a roughened wheel for operatingsaid diaphragm, an axle on which the wheel is mounted and means forrotating the wheel including a plunger, a flexible member carried by theplunger and a device on the axle of the roughened wheel engaged by theflexible member during the operation of the plunger.

2. In an automobile horn, the combination of a vibratile, soundproducing diaphragm, means for actuating the diaphragm including aroughened wheel, an axle on which the wheel is mounted, a plunger, alooped, flexible member carried by the plunger encompassing the axlewithin the loop and means on the axle to engage the flexible member,whereby the axle is rotated when the plunger is depressed. 3. In ,anautomobile horn, the combination of a vibratile, sound producingdiaphragm, means to ,operate the diaphragm including a roughened wheel,an axle upon which said wheel rotates, a plunger, achain carried by saidplunger having a loop encompassing the axle, catches on said plunger andcorresponding catches on the axle, whereby the chain and plunger operatethe wheel when actuated.

4. In an automobile horn, the combination of a Vlblfltlle diaphragm,means for operating the same including a roughened wheel, a depressibleplunger, a flexible member carried b r the plunger, power transmittingmeans between the flexible member and the means between the flexiblemember and the roughened wheel.

6. In an automobile horn, the combination of a vibratile, soundproducing diaphragm, means for vibrating the same, including an anvil onthe diaphragm and a roughened wheel adapted to engage the anvil, an axleon which the wheel is mounted, a frame, bearings in the frame for theaxle, a toothed wheel on the axle, a hollow, depressible plunger,hearings in the frame for the plunger, a chain in the hollow plungerhaving a loop encircling the axle, catches on the chain for engaging theteeth on the wheel, one end of the chain being connected directly to theplunger, a spring connecting the other end of the chain to the plungerand a second spring for returning the plunger to normal when it has beendepressed and released.

7 In an automobile horn, the combination of a frame, a vibratilediaphragm mounted in the frame, means for operating the diaphragmincluding a roughened wheel, a depressible plunger mounted in the frameand inclined at an angle to the diaphragm and means for communicatingpower from the plunger to the roughened wheel, including a chainconnected to the plunger and moved thereby, and means to transmit motionfrom the chain to the roughened wheel.

8. In an automobile horn, the combination of a vibratile diaphragm, aframe in which the diaphragm is mounted, means to operate the diaphragmincluding a roughened Wheel, an inclined channel in the frame inclinedto the diaphragm, a plunger mounted in the channel and reciprocatingtherein, a chain connected to the plunger and moving when said plungeris moved and means to communicate motion from the chain to the roughenedwheel, whereby the wheel is operated when the plunger is operated.

9. In an automobile horn, the combination of a vibratile diaphragm, aframe in which said diaphragm is mounted to vibrate, an anvil on saiddiaphragm, a rotatable roughened wheel adapted to engage the anvil andoperate the diaphragm, an axle, bearings for said axle in said frame,said wheel being tightly fastened to said axle, a toothed wheel on saidaxle adjacent to said roughened wheel, a plunger adapted to be operatedby hand, bearings in the frame for said plunger, said lunger beingprovided with a channel, a exible chain connected at one end in thechann l of the plunger, a

spring connected at one end to the other end of said chain, means toconnect the other end of the spring to the plunger, said chain beingprovided with a loop encircling the toothed wheel on said axle, all ofthe chain except the loop being normally positioned in the channel inthe plunger, and means on the chain to engage the teeth on the toothedwheel.

10. In an automobile horn, the combination of a vibratile diaphragm, ananvil on said diaphragm, a frame, hearings in said frame, an axle insaid bearings, a rough-' cned wheel on said axle adapted when operatedto vibrate the diaphragm through the anvil, a toothed wheel on saidaxle, a plunger inclined with respect to said diaphragm, hearings in theframe for the plunger, a guide for said plunger in said frame, saidplunger being provided with a channel, a pulley in said frame, aflexible chain connected at one end to said plunger and extending oversaid toothed wheel on the axle and said pulley, a link in the channel inthe plunger connected to the other end of the chain, a spring connectedto the other end of the link and to the plunger, and means to restoresaid plunger to normal when depressed and released.

11. In an automobile horn, the combination of a frame, a diaphragm inthe frame, an anvil on the diaphragm, a roughened wheel rotatablysupported in the frame adapted when rotated to operate the diaphragmthrough the anvil, a plunger supported to reciprocate in the frame,means including a flexible member through which the plunger operates theroughened wheel and yielding connecting means between the plunger andthe flexible member.

12. In an automobile horn, the combination of a frame, a vibratilediaphragm, means for operating said diaphragm including a roughenedwheel, apparatus for operating said wheel including a plunger inclinedto said diaphragm, bearings for the guide in diagonally opposite partsof the frame, a hollow guide for said plunger mounted in the frame andmechanism for communicating power from the plunger to the roughenedwheel.

18. In an automobile horn, the combination of. a frame, a vibratilediaphragm, means for operating said diaphragm including a roughened,movable member, apparatus for operating said member including a plungerinclined to the diaphragm, a guide for said plunger extending betweendiagonally opposite corners of the frame, and mechanism forcommunicating power from the plunger to the roughened member.

14:. In an automobile horn, the combination of a frame, a vibratilediaphragm mounted in the frame, means for operating said, diaphragmincluding a rotary, rouglin ened wheel and an anvil on the diaphragm,apparatus for operating said wheel including a manually operable plungerinclined at an angle to the diaphragm, a channel in the frame for theplunger inclined to the plane of the diaphragm in which the plungerreciprocates when operated, bearings for the channel, one in the upperrear part of the frame and the other in the lower front part thereof, anaxle in the frame upon which said wheel is mounted and mechanism forcommunicating power from the plunger to the roughened wheel, whereby theWheel is rotated when the plunger is reciprocated.

In witness whereof I have signed my 15 name, in the presence of twoWitnesses, this 22nd day of Dec, 1914.

RAY H. MANSON.

Witnesses:

GEO. E. ROBERTS, SIDNEY A. BYLAND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

